Posted on 08/24/2002 9:50:03 AM PDT by forest
Sometimes we see programs started that seem down right silly. Here's one that seems very silly, at first glance. But, not only would it be a lot of fun to try, it could also work quite well.
This is from a strongly Libertarian group, incorporated as a nonprofit corporation, with an address located in Clark County, Nevada. The five directors are all from different states.
The Libertarian part doesn't bother us. We've said for years that we favor a two party system in the United States. Where I differ from some others on the political scene is that I want the two political parties to be the Republican Party and either the Libertarian Party of the Constitutional Party. We've had about enough of the communists and socialists in the Democratic Party.
Anyway, now comes a group of political activists who are putting their money (and time) where their mouth is and planning to do something of substance.
They call themselves the Free State Project.(1) Below is a little about their plan:
The Free State Project is a plan in which 20,000 or more liberty-oriented people will move to a single state of the U.S. to secure there a free society. We will accomplish this by first reforming state law, opting out of federal mandates, and finally negotiating directly with the federal government for appropriate political autonomy. We will be a community of freedom-loving individuals and families, and create a shining example of liberty for the rest of the nation and the world.
We don't want to wait decades for most citizens in the U.S. to realize that the nanny state is an insult to their dignity. For those of us who already understand the debilitating effects of a government bent on reducing liberty rather than increasing it, the Free State Project aims at liberty in a single state.
What do we mean by liberty? We believe that being free and independent is a great way to live, and that government's only role should be to help individuals defend themselves from force and fraud. To quote author L. Neil Smith, we believe that "no one has the right, under any circumstances, to initiate force against another human being, or to advocate or delegate its initiation."
What can be done in a single state? A great deal. We will repeal state taxes and wasteful state government programs. We will end the collaboration between state and federal law enforcement officials in enforcing unconstitutional laws. We will repeal laws outlawing drugs and guns. We will end asset forfeiture and abuses of eminent domain. We will privatize utilities and end inefficient regulations and monopolies. Then we will negotiate directly with the federal government for more autonomy.
The state where we will move will be decided once membership has reached 5,000. We are doing extensive research on all the candidate states. The vote will be conducted according to the method of Cumulative Count, which more closely approximates the ideal of individual choice than simple majority rule.
Can 20,000 political activists take over a state and correct the socialist ills so entrenched today? Sure, if it's a small state and the current residents are already somewhat Liberty oriented. That number of people could move in and completely control every political party in the state. So, Democrats and RINOs beware. This is doable.
It appears they have been doing a lot of homework on the matter, too. They have their eye on thirteen states. So far, though, it looks as if New Hampshire fits their needs best.
Liberty takes vigilance and effort to secure and protect. Most Americans have forgotten that and it shows in the blatantly unconstitutional laws, rules and regulations we have allowed public officials to impose on us this past century. So, we wish the Free State Project success. This is the type of experiment that should be happening everywhere. Perhaps if the Free State Project is a success, this type of program will expand to other states.
We can dream, anyway.
1. http://www.freestateproject.org
The Free State Project is a plan in which 20,000 or more liberty-oriented people will move to a single state of the U.S. to secure there a free society. We will accomplish this by first reforming state law, opting out of federal mandates, and finally negotiating directly with the federal government for appropriate political autonomy.
We will repeal state taxes and wasteful state government programs. We will end the collaboration between state and federal law enforcement officials in enforcing unconstitutional laws. We will repeal laws outlawing drugs and guns. We will end asset forfeiture and abuses of eminent domain. We will privatize utilities and end inefficient regulations and monopolies. Then we will negotiate directly with the federal government for more autonomy.
Democrats and RINOs beware. This is doable.
Liberty takes vigilance and effort to secure and protect. Most Americans have forgotten that and it shows in the blatantly unconstitutional laws, rules and regulations we have allowed public officials to impose on us this past century.
WFTR
Bill
LOL. I like this statement.
The federal govt (and state govt) will never allow such a display of independence without sending in the troops. I don't oppose the idea though.
Come on now . . . that's about a stretch and a half!
Evidently, it seems that a lot of people seem to believe that to be true, but it is not.
No matter how ridiculous and unconstitutional many of the federal laws, rules and regulations may be, the federal government is still required by the Constitution to insure a republican form of government for all of the States.
That means, incidentally, that there can be no federal law about "suborning Liberty." The support of Liberty is still legal.
As long as correct and open general elections are held, the federal government has absolutely nothing to say about the outcome.
In any other matter, the Ninth and Tenth Amendments apply.
The people moving out of Massachusetts are the refugees. They are running away from the ruinous taxes and overly large government. They are just who we need.
BTW Massachusetts will have a citizen initiative to vote on in November that could end the state income tax. It was spearheaded by the Libertarian candidate for Govenor.
What is proposed here would involve control over the money supply, via taxation, that the Feds rely on for their socialist programs. That will not be allowed to be compromised by some piss-ant independent state or any other organization. Imagine what would happen if even a small organization got away with telling the Feds to shove it. Then many others would try to do that, and the chaos would start.
There are countless examples of what happens when the Federal govt is challenged in a much smaller manner. The hammer falls, and people die.
That said, The idea is a good one, and I would support it. But those who would challenge the supremacy of the Federal juggernaught had better be willing to put their "lives and their sacred honor" on the line. I think that this is what will happen eventually in any case. The tyranny of the Federal govt has already gone too far to turn back.
I used to do some work in Nevada, and the guys there always talked about the "refugees" from California. They said it never failed that these people would move from California to escape the problems in California. When they got to Nevada, they'd then vote for candidates who would enact the same policies that had caused all of the problems in California. Maybe the situation in Massachusetts and New Hampshire will be different, but I won't be surprised when these folks start voting for liberal candidates "because that's how we did it in Massachusetts."
WFTR
Bill
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